Suppression of atom motion and metal deposition in mixed ionic electronic conductors.

ABSTRACT: Many superionic mixed ionic-electronic conductors with a liquid-like sublattice have been identified as high efficiency thermoelectric materials, but their applications are limited due to the possibility of decomposition when subjected to high electronic currents and large temperature gradients. Here, through systematically investigating electromigration in copper sulfide/selenide thermoelectric materials, we reveal the mechanism for atom migration and deposition based on a critical chemical potential difference. Then, a strategy for stable use is proposed: constructing a series of electronically conducting, but ion-blocking barriers to reset the chemical potential of such conductors to keep it below the threshold for decomposition, even if it is used with high electric currents and/or lar

SUBMITTER: Qiu P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6060128 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature